CDC issues rabies advisory as cases hit Northern California

Key Points:

• The CDC issued a health advisory on Sept. 10 due to increased reports of human exposure to rabid or potentially rabid animals across the U.S., along with concerns about errors in rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) administration.
• Rabies is a nearly always fatal viral disease affecting the central nervous system, but it is preventable if post-exposure treatment is administered promptly before symptoms develop.
• In California, bats account for about 92% of reported rabid animals this year, with three rabid bats recently found in Sutter County, including one that may have had contact with a child.
• The CDC noted a 17% increase in rabies-related inquiries and a 33% rise in rabies vaccine use from July to August compared to last year, estimating that 1.4 million people seek care annually after animal contact, with roughly 100,000 receiving PEP.
• The CDC advises avoiding contact with wildlife, especially bats, washing wounds immediately if bitten or scratched, and seeking prompt medical evaluation to determine if rabies treatment is necessary.